Billboard campaign aimed at fighting child sex trafficking

“Buying a teen for sex is child abuse. Turning a blind eye is neglect.”

That’s one of the messages being posted on billboards throughout Los Angeles County starting this weekend, as part of a new public-awareness campaign to combat the worsening problem of child sex trafficking in the region.

Meanwhile, at the state Capitol, the “War on Child Sex Trafficking” legislative package is continuing to move forward. If approved by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, penalties for those who buy and sell minors for sex would stiffen starting Jan. 1.

County Supervisor Don Knabe said Friday at a news conference announcing the campaign in downtown Los Angeles that he hopes to change the public perception of children and teenagers getting involved in prostitution or pornography by choice.

“No child grows up wanting to be bought and sold for sex in the streets of their community,” Knabe said. “They are victims, often forced into this life by brutal violence and threats.

“The true criminals are the scumbags that buy and sell young boys and girls for money and get off with a slap on the wrist.”

On Friday, the county partnered with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Clear Channel Outdoor to launch billboards and digital displays at trains and train stations, buses and bus stops.

The ads show a child’s bed, complete with teddy bears, and the words, “Teens sold for sex aren’t prostitutes. They’re rape victims.” A second version says, “Being a prostituted teen isn’t a choice. It’s slavery.”

Hoping to crack down on the pimps and “johns” who are exploiting the vulnerable, several state senators have assembled the “War on Child Sex Trafficking,” including SB 1388, which would increase the financial penalties for pimps and johns.

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“We’re going to come after you,” warned Senator Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, who authored the bill, which would also impose a mandatory jail time of at least 48 hours and a mandatory fine of between $1,000 and $50,000.

“Right now, it’s a misdemeanor and up to $1000 in fines,” said Daphne Phung, executive director of California Against Slavery, “but unfortunately, what happens most of the time is that they are cited and released.”

“Quite frankly, current penalties for the solicitation of a minor are not making a dent in sex-trafficking crimes,” said Sen. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, who authored SB 982, which would make it a felony to pay for sex with a minor.

The other bills in the legislative package would allow the wiretapping of human-trafficking suspects and consider human trafficking as criminal gang activity.

“Jessica,” who did not give her last name at the news conference, revealed she was exploited starting at age 12. “The men who bought and sold me and so many other young girls too often get off without any penalties,” she said. “It’s time for the real criminals to pay for exploiting young girls. We are not for sale.”